Unfortunately, a survey of 1,007 indie authors indicated the average earnings were $10,000, a number greatly skewed by a handful earning over 100k. 75% reported earnings of less than $500 a year. So if one can live off $500 a year . . .

When I started out writing I was living in a one-room, unheated apartment above a garage. I also was in the Army Reserves and since Special Forces was in high demand, I’d constantly get calls to go to interesting places (not) and meet interesting people (not). So that supplemented things.

I’ve written thrillers, science fiction, suspense, historical fiction, survival manuals, a leadership book, writing books, and might be the only male author on the Romance Writers of America Honor Roll, with three romances, one of which made the top 100 of the decade 2000-2010.

Don’t do that if you want a successful career as a writer. But, I’ve had a career as a writer for over 25 years. So much for writing advice.

So, yay, pub day and I’m already into Area 51: Resurrection, the 10th book in my all-time bestselling series, picking up where I left off with Area 51: The Truth, because you know, there’s always more truth. And that’s the reason I’ve been able to make a living writing. Because I write.